A BLIND woman from Weybridge will propel herself 100ft down a building to raise money for a charity that works with blind and partially-sighted people.

The Fetcham-based Surrey Association for Visual Impairment (SAVI) is looking for more daredevils and thrill-seekers to take part in the abseil, being held at Dukes Court in Woking.

Among those already set to take on the 100ft drop is Sarah Benton, who has been supported by the charity, as well as a former star of television show The Apprentice.

This will be the first time SAVI has put on an abseil event and it searched around Surrey before deciding that the Woking building was the most suitable in the county to stage it.

The abseil will take place on September 4.

Ms Benton, 32, received support from the charity after losing her sight at the age of 25.

She admitted to having some trepidation as the date grows closer.

“I don’t like heights,” she said. “But SAVI asked me to do it and they have done so much for me in the past.”

The support Ms Benton has been given included training for using a cane, as well as for IT, cooking and counselling.

It is not the first time she has taken on an adrenaline-pumping challenge, having done a skydive for Guide Dogs for the Blind two years ago, which raised £5,000.

So far she has raked in £900 for her latest endeavour, and it is not the only way she is giving back to SAVI – she also volunteers by chairing its resource centre board, helps with fundraising and increases disability awareness by speaking in schools.

Ms Benton admitted to “not being good on a stepladder” but accepted “there is only one way down” once you are up there.

Surrey’s Debra Barr, a former contestant in BBC show The Apprentice, is expected to join her and the charity hopes the event will raise some £5,000 overall.

Mike Coffey, events fundraiser at SAVI, said: “I have been to the top of Dukes Court. People talk about wanting a challenge, wanting an adrenaline rush – this really is an adrenaline rush. It’s a 100ft drop.

“It’s also great fun, and it’s an opportunity for us to broaden understanding of who SAVI is and what we do.”

The entry fee is £20 and participants should raise a further £80 in sponsorship. More information is available from Mike Coffey on 01372 377701 or by e-mailing mcoffey@sa-vi.org.uk.